Last updated at 12:27, Friday, 26 October 2012

YOUNG poets from West Cumbria were given awards at a poetry festival run by a Maryport charity on Monday.

VERSE KIDS: The winners in the Allerdale COSC poetry competition

Eleven pupils from four schools were presented with prizes by staff at Allerdale COSC on Park Hill following its sixth annual poetry festival.

The charity provides day care for adults with disabilities and the poetry festival is run by the Parkhill Poets group at the centre.

There were 269 entries from pupils at Dearham Primary School, Maryport Junior School, Holme St Cuthbert School in Mawbray, and Crosscanonby St John’s Primary School.

They wrote poems on the theme of rainbows.

Alan Hunter, centre manager at Allerdale COSC, said: “It was absolutely outstanding.

“It does show how much hard work the kids have put in. It was nice to see the support of the parents. We have some proud people here today.”

Ella Thompson, nine, from Holme St Cuthbert, took first prize of a trophy, certificate and a book.

Her mum Helen, 36, from Mawbray, said: “It was lovely. I am very proud of her.”

Every winning pupil received a medal and certificate and the top three poets also received books.

Elaine Hitchen, a teaching assistant at Dearham Primary School, said: “We take part every year and the children really enjoy it. It was a very high standard.”

The 11 poems that won prizes will be displayed in Maryport Library on Lawson Street throughout November, before being returned to the pupils.

Results: 1, Ella Thompson, Holme St Cuthbert; 2, Evie Hoyles, Maryport Junior; 3, Emily Thwaites, Crosscanonby St John’s.

Best illustration: Isha Frazer, Dearham. Best handwriting: Liam Skelton, Crosscanonby St John’s. Highly commended: Cara Joy de Mello, Holme St Cuthbert; Luke Eilbeck, Holme St Cuthbert; Matthew Mattocks, Dearham; Alex Scott, Dearham; Reece Kendall, Maryport Junior; Olivia Scott, Maryport Junior.

First published at 11:56, Friday, 26 October 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk